Oak Fire grows to 12,296 acres in Coronado National Forest

A lightning-caused wildfire that began June 17 in the Coronado National Forest had devoured 12,296 acres by Wednesday morning, Safford Ranger District officials said.

The Oak Fire remained 5 percent contained as of 8 a.m. Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the fire spread toward the south and west into Douglas Canyon. The western edge of the fire is about eight-tenths of a mile southeast of Powers Garden in Brush Canyon and one mile northeast of Ball Mill in Douglas Canyon.

An Oak Fire information station has been set up at Walmart at 755 S. 20th Ave. in Safford. It will be staffed Tuesday afternoon and between 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

An eight-person hand crew, three Hotshot crews, five engines and four helicopters are among the resources assigned to the wildfire.

A closure begins at Bottle Canyon to Power's Hill, Rattlesnake Creek south and east to Holdout Spring, along the East Divide Trail and Paddy's River to the Forest Boundary - all enclosed by the Forest Boundary to the east and north.

Coronado National Forest Communications Staff Officer Heidi Schewel said the fire is being managed for multiple objectives, not suppressed.

The area in the vicinity of the fire is being closed for public safety reasons.

Crews have constructed more than 15 miles of fire line, improved four miles of road, and conducted several burnouts since the fire began.

The fire is expected to stay active until a monsoonal weather pattern settles into the area.